O.A.R.

O.A.R. (Of A Revolution) is an American rock group that forms in Rockville, Maryland in 1996 and remains active. The band’s core line-up consists of Marc Roberge on vocals and guitar, Chris Culos on drums and percussion, Richard On on guitar and backing vocals, Benj Gershman on bass, and Jerry DePizzo on saxophone, guitar and backing vocals. Its listed genres include alternative rock, indie rock and roots rock, and its earlier material is also described as a rock-reggae fusion.

Background and early development

The members first come together in the basement of Chris Culos’s childhood home in Rockville. The band develops as a self-managed, internet-savvy act, building an identifiable sound and touring heavily to expand its audience. It gains an early following as a live band on college campuses and later receives wider attention through file-sharing networks and Napster, especially after “Crazy Game of Poker” becomes widely circulated around 2000.

Recordings and label activity

O.A.R. releases seven studio albums: The Wanderer, Soul's Aflame, Risen, In Between Now and Then, Stories of a Stranger, All Sides and King. The band signs to Lava Records in 2005, after which it sees broader mainstream success. Its singles “Love and Memories” and “Shattered (Turn the Car Around)” receive radio airplay.

Notable releases and live work

Stories of a Stranger produces the radio tracks “Love and Memories” and “Heard the World”, along with the video “Lay Down”, which becomes mtvU’s most downloaded video of 2006. The group also issues the live double CD and DVD Live From Madison Square Garden, recorded during its second sold-out show at the venue. All Sides is worked on in Los Angeles before release, and King is issued on Wind-Up Records.

Audience and career profile

By the time the group reaches its 10-year mark, it has sold more than 1.2 million albums and performed before more than 1 million people. Marc Roberge says that “Love and Memories” is inspired by the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The band continues to be identified with a touring-based career and a catalogue rooted in melodic alternative rock and jam-oriented live performance.